Infrared viewing and photography

ABSTRACT

An infra red attachment for a single lens reflex 35mm camera body involves imaging optics within which are axially aligned a first lens system, an infra red image converter, and a second lens system, in that order. The first lens system serves to focus infra red on the converter. The second lens system serves to focus a visible image produced by the converter onto black and white type, slow speed film within the single lens reflex camera body which is releasably connected to such light tube whereby a person may see an infra red converted image just prior to its being photographed on black and white film in the camera body.

United States Patent [1 1 Yanez 1 INFRARED VIEWING AND PHOTOGRAPHY [75]Inventor: Serge J. Yanez, Arcadia, Calif.

[73] Assignee: Condamatic Company, Inc., Warren,

. Mich.

[22] Filed: Sept. 13, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 180,044

3,327,120 6/1967 Weiss..... 250/83.3 HP 3,493,748 2/1970 Tajima 250/65 R3,247,378 4/1966 Erikson 250/65 R OTHER PUBLICATIONS [451 Aug. 14, 1973IEEE Convention, Mar. 25, 1963.

Primary Examiner-1-Iarold A. Dixon Attorney-Lyon & Lyon [57] ABSTRACT Aninfra red attachment for a single lens reflex 35mm camera body involvesimaging optics within which are axially aligned a first lens system, aninfra red image converter, and a second lens system, in that order. Thefirst lens system serves to focus infra red on the converter. The secondlens system serves to focus a visible image produced by the converteronto black and white type, slow speed film within the single lens reflexcamera body which is releasably connected to such light tube whereby aperson may see an infra red converted image just prior to its beingphotographed on black and white film in the camera body.

Infra-Red View Miniscope Model 5500, Varo Inc., 6 Claims, 3 DrawingFigures Z06 Z4, 50 Z;

wwd4 my. L 5 5 \y r45 1 b l a I /2 46 54 36 \45 PAIENIEDmc 14 ms 13.752.983 sum 2 or 2 NVENTOR INFRARED VIEWING AND PHOTOGRAPHY Thepresent invention relates to photography and more particularly to infrared photography.

An object of the present invention is to provide means and techniquesallowing most advantageous use of a conventional single lens reflex 35mmcamera body in photographing images converted from infra red to visiblelight.

Another object of the present invention is to achieve infra redphotography with film sensitive substantially only to the visiblespectrum.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a light compactassembly for these purposes which is compact, of light weight and ofgood configuration for releasable attachment to 35 mm single lens reflexcamera body.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a system in whicha reflex camera body serves as a visual display element allowing theoperator to observe distant objects or scenes under convert conditionsas well as for photographing them for permanent record and furturedisplay.

FIG. 1 illustrates a camera assembly embodying features of the presentinvention.

FIG. 2 is substantially a sectional view taken as indicated by the line2-2 in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 illustrates electrical circuitry associated with the assembly ofFIG. 1.

The infra red camera assembly is exemplified as a standard 35 mm camerabody with its shutter in its focal plane.

The camera body 10 is of conventional construction, is of the standard35 mm single lens reflex type, and may be of any one of the numerouscamera bodies available for receiving and exposing conventional 35 mmblack and white film and for transporting the same, frame by frame, fromthe film supply spool to a takeup spool and back again after transportof all frames onto the supply spool for subsequent development of thefilm.

The camera body 10 includes also a conventionalsocalled focal planeshutter which is located in the focal plane of the optical system andalso an associated conventional viewing system that permits the user tosee on a viewing screen, in focus, the same scene which is photographedupon depressing of the camera exposure button.

Usually upon operation of such button a mirror in the camera body ispivoted from a position where it reflects the scene onto said viewingscreen to a position where it allows the light from such scene toimpinge on the camera shutter which is then opened to permit exposure ofthe film having its plane slightly behind the shutter but in the exactfocal plane.

Such conventional camera bodies have means such as, for example, bayonettype connections for the quick attachment and/or detachment of one ofseveral different lens systems of different fixed or adjustable focallength. The apparatus presently described forinfra red photography usingblack and white film in the camera body 10 includes conventional matingmeans that cooperates in conventional manner with the conventional meanson the camera body 10 to provide the same quick attachable anddetachable connection between itself and the camera body 10.

The new assembly attachable to such 35mm camera body 10 includesgenerally an objective lens system 12,

an image converter assembly 14, a steady state convert light source 16,and high voltage power supply, all of which is mounted with a commonhand grip 20. A portable power pack, operable from a 12 volt battery forenergizing this assembly is shown in FIG. 3.

The objective lens assembly 12 is preferably a basic mirror lensselected for its spectral response to infra red light. It is appreciatedthat other similar lens systems may be used where different focallengths are desired. Indeed the lens system 12 may have an F5.8 aperturewith a focal length of 250mm specifically designed for 35mm single lensreflex camera applications. This lens assembly 12 provides a focusadjustment and is releasably secured by a bayonet type connection 24 toa light tube 26.

The image forming optics is housed on and in the image converterassembly 14 which includes tube 26, objective lens mount 30incorporating connection 24, image converter tube 34, insulator housing36, a 28 mm lens assembly 38 screw threadedly received in its mount 40and a collar 42 incorporating a bayonet type connection 44 for securingthe assembly to the camera body 10. The supports 30, 36, 40 and 42 maybe secured to the tube 26 using machine screws 46, 48, 50 and 52respectively.

The objective lens system 12 on its mount 30 forms an image on theforwardly located cathode screen of the image converter 34 which is thenamplified and projected in the rearwardly located portion of theconverter 34 in the form of a visible image. The short focal length F2.8 mm lens 38 focuses the visible image onto the plane of the black andwhite type film in camera body 10. The single lens reflex camera bodyhaving features outlined above allows the operator to view the sceneprior to photographing it using the visible focused image produced bylens system 38. If desired, the mountings 40 and 42 may be integrallyformed.

The handle shaped supporting structure 20 upon which the tube 26 ismounted may be formed to also support various types of commerciallyavailable camera bodies in indexed relation to the tube 26. For thatpurpose the support 20 may incorporate a camera body locating aperturedportion 20A.

The convert light source 16 is located above and on the frame portion208 of such support structure 20 and may include a 30 watt lamp 60 andinfra red filter 66 all within housing 68.

The image converter 34, preferably of high gain, is commerciallyavailable and may, for example, be the Model 1,653 supplied by RadioCorporation of America. The black and white type film used is EastmanKodak Tri X or Panchromatic 135. In this system film otherwise notuseful as such could be used in daytime infra red photography.

Convert scene illumination is provided by a quartziodine light source inconjunction with an infra red filter.

, Various mounting means may be used. For example, the tripod mount ofthe camera body may be used and the mounting structure 20 in such casemaybe provided with different fittings adapting the same for support onthe camera body.

In FIG. 3 the image converter 34 is supplied with a DC. voltage of 16kilovolts from the output of a six stage voltage multiplier having itsinput receiving 2,000 volts A.C. from the output of a DC. to DC.converter 82, the input of converter 82 being connected to the 12 voltbattery 84 via diode 86 and switch 88.

The light source 60 may be energized by the same source 84 via switch 90and fuse 92. Also a blower 94 may be mounted to carry away heatdevieloped by the light source 60 and it may be energized firom the samesource 84 via switch 90.

We claim: 7 1. An assembly for use on a reflex type camera bodyincluding an optical chamber having a first lens system, an imageconverter and a second lens system arranged in that order along anoptical path, said first lens system focusing an infra red image on saidconverter, said converter converting said infra red image to a visibleimage and said second lens system serving to focus said visible imageonto photographic film, said first system, said converter and secondsystem being mechanically aligned with the axis of a light tube on whichthey are mounted, said light tube having means mounted thereon adaptingthe same for quick attachment and detachment from a reflex type camerabody.

2. An assembly as set forth in claim 1 including a reflex type camerabody attached to said light tube by said means mounted thereon for saidquick attachment to and detachment from.

3. An assembly as set forth in claim 1 including an infra red lightsource mounted on said light tube for projecting infra red lightgenerally along a prolongation of the axis of said tube.

4. An assembly as set forth in claim 1 in which said first lens systemis adjustably mounted on said chamber with respect to said converter.

5. An assembly as set forth in claim 1 in which said second lens systemis adjustably mounted with respect to said converter.

6. An arrangement as set forth in claim 1 including a portable powersupply connected to said converter including a battery, a DC to DC.converter having its input connected to said battery and its outputconnected to the input of a voltage multiplier having its outputconnected to said converter.

' a :k =0: a:

1. An assembly for use on a reflex type camera body including an opticalchamber having a first lens system, an image converter and a second lenssystem arranged in that order along an optical path, said first lenssystem focusing an infra red image on said converter, said converterconverting said infra red image to a visible image and said second lenssystem serving to focus said visible image onto photographic film, saidfirst system, said converter and second system being mechanicallyaligned with the axis of a light tube on which they are mounted, saidlight tube having means mounted thereon adapting the same for quickattachment and detachment from a reflex type camera body.
 2. An assemblyas set forth in claim 1 including a reflex type camera body attached tosaid light tube by said means mounted thereon for said quick attachmentto and detachment from.
 3. An assembly as set forth in claim 1 includingan infra red light source mounted on said light tube for projectinginfra red light generally along a prolongation of the axis of said tube.4. An assembly as set forth in claim 1 in which said first lens systemis adjustably mounted on said chamber with respect to said converter. 5.An assembly as set forth in claim 1 in which said second lens system isadjustably mounted with respect to said converter.
 6. An arrangement asset forth in claim 1 including a portable power supply connected to saidconverter including a battery, a D.C. to D.C. converter having its inputconnected to said battery and its output connected to the input of avoltage multiplier having its output connected to said converter.